Roatan travel

[NJ Wreck Diver]

I was wondering on people views on traveling to Roatan on Saturday July 11th despite the US travel warnings. I will be traveling with my wife and 2 children ages 5 and 9. I know Roatan is alot different than the mainland. But I will be traveling with my children and that makes me worry. I would just like to hear people views on what they would do.
thanks

 

[Doc]

I'm just curious, as you're about to get a lot of opinions, every which way.

What would someone here say that would make you decide one way or the other?

 

[aeronca]

I am in the same situation as you, and understand the concern for traveling with your family, we leave for Roatan on the 6th, for 2 and 1/2 weeks, we being me, my wife and my 11yr old son. We don't really see a reason not to go.

I have been following the posts here as well as trying to follow the news to try and educate myself about the situation. It certainly appears that all is quiet in the Islands. I think we'll be as safe there as we will be during our overnight in Houston.
I have paid a bit more attention since its the family and all, I probably wouldn't take them to the capital,(would go myself) but we didn't plan a trip to the mainland so that is not an issue.

We also run a small business in a tourist destination and I do feel sympathy for all those losing business because of inaccurate reporting on the news. So until I hear of actual violence or violent disturbances on the island we are going. Although we haven't had a vacation in a long time so my wife would probably be ok with wearing a flak jacket if needed.

Anyway it is wise to be informed about what is going on and no one can really be sure of the future, I just plan to pay close attention to things while we are there.
Where are you guys heading? we are probably going to spend the whole time in West End, its our introduction to diving, and we are doing our open water with Coconut Tree Divers. Can't wait.

 

[DECKHAND]

No problem Be Happy (Stay away from main land ,especially Tegucigalpa)

 

[openhelix]

I'm headed to Roatan in about a month and for me the barometer is the cruise ships... As long as they are still showing up, crowding West Bay beaches and West End then chances are everything's fine. When the cruise ships start diverting I'll start to worry a little. The ships have a nearly limitless list of potential "day" destinations or the option not to stop at all. They also tend to be fairly liability-conscious. just my .02 on the topic but I have done a fair amount of ill-advised travel over the years working for a govt contractor.

 

[parrotheaddiver]

I was there last week when the political bru ha ha happened...no worries....locals had a curfew but other than that business as usual....I went to West End for the afternoon on Friday....nothing out of the norm....Coconut Tree Divers were open and doing business....kids swimming and playing...people in the restuarants and bars.. everyone looked happy....

I would go back in a heartbeat today....not to downplay the situation or the US travel advisory but they do tend to go overboard....but they are just covering their :mooner: I hope you go and I know you will have a great time....

 

[RTBDiver]

I'm headed to Roatan in about a month and for me the barometer is the cruise ships... As long as they are still showing up, crowding West Bay beaches and West End then chances are everything's fine. When the cruise ships start diverting I'll start to worry a little. The ships have a nearly limitless list of potential "day" destinations or the option not to stop at all. They also tend to be fairly liability-conscious. just my .02 on the topic but I have done a fair amount of ill-advised travel over the years working for a govt contractor.

I understand your point here and will not suggest there is anything wrong with it but I will say that a lot still depends on where you are staying. I was on the Island during a past travel advisory and some ships diverted. I had not listened to the radio and needed to head into town for some electrical supplies. I got almost to town and ran into to the roadblock, not literally, and was told I could not pass, I simply parked the truck in a small lot and was handed a flyer about the protest, I then walked past the protesters who were noisy but pretty calm and went to the store, came back and told some friends about it. They basicallly said Oh Yea, forgot about that happening today. That night while online I noticed there was an advisory.
The thing about the cruise ships is that they rely on the road travel to get people to and from a lot of different places and just one well placed roadblock can have a huge impact on travel. It can also be intimidating if it is at the cruise dock but If your already at your destination then your all set and while anything can happen, non of the past protests affecting the island have lasted more than a day or 2.

 

[NJ Wreck Diver]

i will be staying at AKR

 

[MarineResearch]

i will be staying at AKR

I'll be at AKR at the same time. I'm not worried since Hillary is requiring them to kiss and make up:

Both sides in Honduras' leadership crisis on Tuesday signaled willingness to forge a diplomatic solution to the deadlock over the fate of President Manuel Zelaya, who was ousted last month in a coup.

Zelaya and interim Honduran leader Roberto Micheletti agreed to accept Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, a Nobel Peace laureate, as an international mediator. Arias' appointment was backed by the United States and announced by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton after she met privately with Zelaya at the State Department

Go to Honduras political rivals accept mediation
to read the entire article.

See you there...

 

[RTBDiver]

Uh Oh, here it comes